Explosions near Zhytomyr destroyed production facilities: latest details, video
2 July 23:05
In the evening of July 2, two powerful explosions occurred near Zhytomyr, on the Kyiv-Chop highway, causing large-scale destruction. According to official reports, at least two people were killed and 15 others were injured. Work to eliminate the consequences continues. This is stated in a statement by the Zhytomyr City Council, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Where exactly did the explosion occur?
The exact location of the explosion is currently under investigation. Initially, an explosion was reported at a gas station near the highway, but later the head of the community suggested that the explosion could have occurred in the warehouse of an industrial enterprise.
Published videos from the scene confirm heavy destruction at the gas station, but the epicenter was probably elsewhere.
What happened?
The explosions occurred around 18:00 near the village of Berezina in the Hlybochytsia community. According to the head of the community, Serhiy Sokalsky, the epicenter was two production facilities that were completely destroyed. The explosions set houses on fire, damaged cars traveling on the M-06 highway, and severely damaged gas stations and nearby buildings.
Eyewitnesses reported extremely powerful explosions. One of the drivers, who filmed video from the scene, said that the windshield of his car was cracked by the shock wave.
“Residential buildings were damaged, windows were smashed, roofs were damaged. Power lines and transformer substations were also damaged. I did not personally get to the scene of the incident – there were huge traffic jams on the highway,” commented Sokalsky for Suspilne.
Situation with electricity supply
The explosions left more than 700 homes without electricity.
According to Zhytomyroblenergo, three power lines were damaged and 50 transformer substations were de-energized.
Power engineers are already working to restore power supply.
Victims and assistance
Medical services immediately responded to the emergency. According to Viktor Grinev, medical director of the Emergency Center, about 20 ambulances arrived at the scene. Two women were hospitalized – one to the regional hospital and the other to the city hospital.
Vitaliy Bunechko, head of the Zhytomyr Regional Military Administration, said that two people were killed and at least 15 injured. An operational headquarters is working at the scene, and the injured are receiving medical care.
“Traffic on the M-06 highway is partially free. I urge drivers to refrain from traveling past Zhytomyr until the end of the day, while the investigation team is working,” Bunechko addressed the public.
The highway is blocked
The patrol police reported a temporary traffic restriction on the highway.
Currently, two-way traffic is organized in the direction of Kyiv.
The police noted that the incident occurred on the 126th kilometer of the M-06 Kyiv-Chop highway. It also lists the routes that can be used to bypass the blocked section of the highway:
- In the direction of Rivne:
- on the 109th kilometer of the highway through the village of Holovyne in the direction of Cherniakhiv.
In the direction of Kyiv: - on the 128th kilometer of the road through the turnoff and the settlements of Cherniakhiv, Holovyne with an exit on the 109th kilometer of the road through the village of Tesnivka;
on the 140th kilometer through the junction near the village of Oliyivka through Cherniakhiv, Holovyne with an exit at the 109th kilometer of the road through the village of Tesnivka.
“Patrol policemen are ensuring safety and traffic control. All emergency services are working at the scene. Drivers, please plan your travel route with this information in mind,” the statement said.
Recommendations for residents
In connection with the large fire caused by the explosions, the Zhytomyr Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention urged local residents to observe safety measures
- close windows
- avoid being outside;
- drink more water;
- use an air purifier if available.
“Avoid spreading unverified information. Trust only official sources,” the center emphasized.
It should be noted that there was no air raid alert in the region at the time of the explosion. Monitoring chats and the Air Force did not publish any reports of danger in the region.
